Pope golf management firm signs up Pete Huber academy

Pope Golf, the region's fast-growing country club management firm, said it has signed Pete Huber Golf Academy to be the primary golf school provider at all the courses Pope manages.

Most recently, the Sarasota County-based Pope announced it would start start running River Wilderness Golf and Country Club in Parrish. The contract capped a year-long expansion binge that has put Pope in charge of seven courses in the region and 12 nationwide.

The Pete Huber Golf Academy was founded by PGA master professional Pete Huber, who teaches at five Sarasota-area courses, according to its website.

Started in 2004 by Pope, the company has run Sarasota Golf Club and Bent Tree Country Club for a number of years. Pope's expansion went into high gear in October 2011, when it leased two courses from Manatee County government: Manatee Golf and Buffalo Creek.

The following November, Pope became the manager for Myakka Pines Golf Club in Englewood. Misty Creek Country Club, off the Bee Ridge Extension in east Sarasota County, joined the fold in April 2012.

Pope also manages another five in other states, including the Asheville (N.C.) Municipal Golf Course, which became part of its management portfolio on Oct. 1.

The company employs the staff at each of the clubs or courses it manages, handling $18 million in revenue per year for a payroll of more than 250 workers.